The cyclical hit model: how paligenosis might establish the mutational landscape in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul;35(4):363-370. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000540.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In this review, we explore a paligenosis-based model to explain Barrett's esophagus development and progression: 'the cyclical hit model.'

Recent findings: Genomic analyses have highlighted the high mutational burden of esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett's esophagus, and even normal esophageal epithelium. Somatic mutations in key genes including TP53 occur early in the neoplastic progression sequence of Barrett's esophagus, whereas chromosomal amplification resulting in oncogene activation occurs as a critical late event. Paligenosis is a shared injury response mechanism characterized by activation of autophagy, expression of progenitor markers, and increased mTORC signaling-induced cell-cycle reentry. In the setting of chronic injury/inflammation, cycles of paligenosis may allow accumulation of mutations until eventually the mutational burden, in concert perhaps with mutations in key driver oncogenes, finally alters the cell's ability to redifferentiate, leading to the emergence of a potential neoplastic clone.

Summary: Under conditions of chronic gastroesophageal refluxate exposure, the normal esophageal squamous epithelium might undergo multiple cycles of paligenosis, allowing initially silent mutations to accumulate until key events impart mutant clones with an oncogenic survival advantage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / genetics
  • Barrett Esophagus* / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Signal Transduction